An Inspired Chat with Prophetess Amanda Herd of Raleigh/Garner

We recently had the chance to connect with Prophetess Amanda Herd and have shared our conversation below.

Prophetess Amanda, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
“Yes, absolutely. Over the past several years, I’ve been on an intentional faith journey — learning, growing, and evolving at a rapid pace. Much of what I’m surrounded by involves celebrated moments that often take place within the four walls of the church. Interestingly, in my own life, every time God has elevated me, it’s happened quietly, behind the scenes. I’ve grown accustomed to skipping the spotlight and simply continuing the journey He’s set before me.
Lately, however, I’ve felt a deeper, more pressing call toward something greater — something that required more of me. For a while, I was met with questions I didn’t yet have the answers to, leaving many conversations and opportunities pending. What I didn’t realize was that God was already working a plan beneath the surface.
Recently, I was introduced to an institute that would not only deepen my understanding of what I teach and preach, but also provide the training, credentials, and ordination that the world often looks for. Balancing a full plate of responsibilities — from multiple projects to writing — hasn’t been easy. Some days, my desk has been so full I could hardly see its surface. But through it all, I remained committed.
Today, I can proudly say I’ve completed my studies with the Christian Leaders Alliance and received the necessary credentials to continue my journey in ministry with excellence and integrity. This moment makes me deeply proud — not just because of the accomplishment itself, but because it’s yet another reminder that God works powerfully in the quiet, unseen places.”

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
“My name is Amanda Herd, and I am the founder of Circle Up_AH — a movement that began as a simple act of obedience. What started as a podcast in response to God’s voice in a pivotal season of my life has since grown into a thriving ministry rooted in prayer, faith, and the stirring up of God-given gifts.
Alongside my husband of over 15 years, we also lead The Root Transformation Ministries. This ministry began with a focus on teens and young adults, helping them confront the deep, hidden places of pain and brokenness that are often overlooked — and guiding them toward healing and wholeness. What began as a targeted outreach has now grown into a full church body, reaching anyone and everyone who is in need of transformation.
Ministry isn’t just something I do — it’s the very rhythm of my life. From sunup to sundown, I’m creating programs and opportunities designed to help people discover who they are becoming. My weeks are filled with one-on-one calls, prayer, empowerment sessions, and Bible studies that allow me to walk alongside individuals in their faith journey.
Throughout the year, Circle Up_AH hosts three signature events that have become cornerstones of the ministry: the Prayer Brunch in the spring, the Prayer Boot Camp & Retreat at the start of summer, and The Exchange Prayer Summit in the fall. Each of these gatherings creates sacred spaces for prayer, worship, and transformation.
One of the greatest lessons I’ve learned along the way is that obedience isn’t just a principle — it’s a lifestyle. It’s the key to growth, wisdom, and breakthrough. Obedience has become part of my identity, and I pray it inspires others to embrace it as well.
A few years ago, I released my first book, Conquer Her — a guide filled with practical tools to help women navigate and overcome the tougher seasons of life. I always knew it would be a series, and now I’m in the exciting process of preparing to release Book #2.
Everything I do flows from a single desire: to help others discover the power of faith, healing, and purpose. My story is a testimony of what can happen when you say ‘yes’ to God — even when you don’t have the full picture yet.”

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
“My earliest memory of feeling powerful goes all the way back to my childhood. I can remember being very aware, even as a little girl, that my voice carried weight in a room. The way people would look at me, the way they responded to what I said — even when it wasn’t something most children could get away with — it was clear that my words had a certain kind of influence.
As a teenager, I went through some tough seasons. Like many of us, my choices played a role in some of the challenges I faced. I carried myself with a kind of boldness — even arrogance at times — believing that wherever I stood was my ground to claim. There was one moment in particular that made me understand just how powerful my words truly were.
My cousin, who was quieter and more reserved, came to live with us for a while. One day, someone verbally disrespected her, and when I heard what happened and realized no one had addressed it, I confronted the situation with sharp, forceful words. What I said and how I said it triggered a chain reaction that escalated quickly. Within 20 or 30 minutes, my cousin came home with blood running down her head.
That moment marked me. It was the first time I truly understood the weight of my influence — that my voice didn’t just carry, it could ignite. I learned that power isn’t just about presence; it’s about responsibility. From that day forward, I became more mindful of how I use my words. Even now, when my thoughts wander in the wrong direction, I find myself holding my tongue, understanding that what I release can build or break.
It’s not the prettiest story to share, but it’s real. And I hope that whoever reads this is reminded to take inventory of the words they speak. Our voices hold power — to speak life, healing, and wholeness, or to tear down. My prayer is that we all learn to use that power wisely, to build up, and to push back only against darkness, never against each other.”

What fear has held you back the most in your life?
“For me, the greatest fear that held me back for so long was the fear of heights — not just in the natural sense, but spiritually and emotionally as well. It wasn’t just about being scared of airplanes, roller coasters, or climbing too high in a tree as a child. It was the fear of falling — of reaching the peak of something great, only to lose it all.
I grew up watching others climb their own mountains, fighting through life’s obstacles, and finally standing in what many would call success. But I also watched some of those same people fall — sometimes from places they had prayed to reach. Many never got back up again. Somewhere along the way, I adopted their story as my own, even before I ever started climbing. I let their falls convince me that I might not survive my own.
This fear followed me everywhere — not just in my spirit, but in real life. I wouldn’t get on planes. I avoided high places. Even as a little girl, I’d stop climbing trees before I reached the top because the peak always felt too dangerous. I convinced myself that staying low was safer than risking the fall.
But everything began to change when I truly found faith in God and learned what it meant to trust Him with the climb. There was a freedom that entered my heart when I finally understood that the same God who allows me to reach great heights is also the same God who can catch me if I fall. And even if I were to hit the ground and break — He is still the Creator, fully able to put me back together again and make me whole.
Eventually, I climbed. I reached a peak I once thought I’d never see. And just as I had feared, I experienced what felt like a hard drop back down to the valley. It was my first real encounter with the weight of depression. But just as I had believed He would, God met me there. Lying in that low place, I received a word of grace and wisdom that changed not only my life but the lives of many connected to me.
In that moment of what I thought was defeat, He told me to lift my head. In a vision, I saw a river flowing with fresh water and fruit that could only grow in the valley. I heard the gentle whisper: ‘Drink and eat — you can’t get this from anywhere else.’ That moment taught me something powerful: what I learn in the valley is just as important as what I gain on the mountain. Those lessons refresh me, sustain me, and prepare me to keep climbing — this time without fear.
I no longer fear the height. I trust the One who called me to climb.”

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
“When I think about who I admire most for their character and not their power, my grandparents immediately come to mind. While they both carry a quiet strength that’s undeniable, it’s their character that has truly shaped and inspired me.
My Nana, Pearlene Greene, is one of a kind. She’s taught me some of the most valuable lessons in life without having to use many words at all. Her character speaks louder than her voice ever could. There’s a boldness, a realness, and an authentic presence about her that commands a room—not through force, but through truth. She’s shown me that it’s not only okay to be fully myself, but that there’s power in walking in that authenticity unapologetically.
My Pa, Billy Barr, has impacted me in a different but equally meaningful way. His character is gentle, kind, and deeply inviting. There’s something so warm and welcoming about him that makes people feel safe just being around him. He’s taught me how to embrace the softer, hidden pieces of myself—the parts I once tried to silence.
Their characters balance me in a way that has given such a blueprint for life. From them, I’ve learned strength and softness, boldness and grace, authenticity and love. They’ve provided me with a foundation of wisdom that I carry with me every single day.”

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
“When I’m gone, I hope the story people tell isn’t so much about me, but about the God I served. I want people to say that God is good, that He is real, and that His love is undeniable. I want them to remember that prayer truly works and that their lives were impacted — not because of my name, but because of the One who loved them through me. If the story people tell after I’m gone points them back to Jesus, then I’ve lived well.”

Contact Info:

• Instagram: CircleUp_ah
• Facebook: CircleUp_ah
• Youtube: Circle up with Amanda Herd
• Other: TikTok – circleup_AH